IDS 299: Instructional Design: AI

Citing AI

Writing Prompts

Refining Titles

Improving Your Writing

Background Research

Generating Citations

Previewing Grades

Study Buddy

Citing ChatGPT

Content generated by AI is nonrecoverable; it cannot be retrieved or linked to later, therefore it must be cited differently as shown below. The examples below are how to cite ChatGPT in the citation styles of APA, Chicago, and MLA.

• APA Style

  In-text: (Open AI, 2023)
  Reference list: OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

• Chicago Manual of Style

  In-text: (ChatGPT, March 7, 2023).
  Reference list: not needed because it cites only in-text.

• MLA Style

  In-text: (paraphrased from ChatGPT) or (generated by ChatGPT).
  Works Cited list: "Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald" prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat

Prompt Engineering

Prompts are commands and information that you input into the AI system in order to obtain specific results. They can be as short as one sentence or many pages long. Your AI interactions and the output quality hinge on how your prompts are worded. There is definitely an art to writing prompts for AI, so to write an effective AI prompt you should:

• Be clear, specific, and precise.
• Describe the subject or topic.
• Describe your audience.
• Select the tone or style.
• Include the length or word count.
• Provide as much detail as possible. The more detail, the better.
• Experiment with different keywords or phrases. Rephrasing might make all the difference.
• List exceptions or aspects that you want to disregard.
• Combine multiple prompts. Results may be better if multiple prompts are combined into one large prompt.

Other tips:

• Make AI imitate a professional and adopt a specific mindset like an environmentalist, lawyer, or therapist.
• If your unsure about something, ask for examples or ask for an explanation.
• Have AI walk you through a math problem and explain the solution step by step.
• Convert raw data into rough graphs and charts.
• Not sure about the tone or message of an email? Plug it into a prompt and ask AI.
• Complete this sentence. When open-ended questions won't work, use the "Complete this sentence" template.

Refining Titles

Remember to check with what is and is not acceptable AI use for assignments. While you instructor may not allow you to use content generate by AI (make sure what is acceptable), responses may offer inspiration and spawn ideas. First, brainstorm a few ideas yourself to serve as a base line for creating new titles. Then try using a similar prompt: 

Prompt: Create five titles based off of the following two titles: Economic Analysis of Early Settlers in Salem, Oregon; Emerging Industries in 18th Century Salem, Oregon

Response: Here are five titles that combine elements from both “Economic Analysis of Early Settlers in Salem, Oregon” and “Emerging Industries in 18th Century Salem, Oregon”:

1. “Economic Foundations and Emerging Industries: Early Settlers in 18th Century Salem, Oregon”
2. “Pioneering Prosperity: Economic Growth and Industry Development in Early Salem, Oregon”
3. “From Settlement to Industry: Economic and Industrial Evolution in 18th Century Salem, Oregon”
4. “Economic Ventures and Industrial Beginnings: The Early Settlers of Salem, Oregon”
5. “Building an Economy: Early Settlers and the Rise of Industries in 18th Century Salem, Oregon”

You may not want a subtitle, but some of the terms may be of interest. You may want to tweak your prompt by adding more keywords that describe the key concepts of your work. 

AI Writing Assistants

Having AI write or rewrite content is controversial in higher education. Always check with your instructor to see if using AI is acceptable or if there are certain things that are not acceptable. While AI does a decent job of writing, you still need to do your own work and put things in your own words.

Is it okay to copy and paste an AI response? 
No. Instructors want to see you learn and grow--mistakes, missing info, and all. Paraphrase and put things in your own words.

Can I use tools like Grammarly to help with spelling and grammar?
In most cases, yes. But check with your instructor to make sure.

Steps for improving your writing with AI

1. Identify the main points of your paper.
2. Write a draft of the paper yourself.
3. Plug your draft into a prompt. Ask the AI to check for grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Ask for suggestions to improve your paper or to flesh out your topic.
4. In your prompt, include the length or word count, and specify the audience.
5. Consider the differences between your original writing and the AI response. Learn what you can to become a better writer.
6. Then paraphrase the AI content in your own words.
7. Finally, document how you used AI. Note your prompts and responses. 

While it is generally not okay to copy and paste an AI response, it is usually okay to glean useful bits of information and learn from AI examples. The examples may give you ideas for how to improve your writing. You may see how your writing could be structured differently. You may notice how it uses a discipline-specific voice or perspective. It may help identify more appropriate terms or phrases of the trade. If a response use unfamiliar words and terms, use the opportunity to look them up. Ask AI to explain why a comma is used in a specific sentence.

Ultimately, you must paraphrase anything you use that was produced by AI by put things into your own words. You also may need to cite or acknowledge the use of AI, so get into the habit of documenting how you used AI and including prompts and responses. Also, it is your responsibility to make sure the information you provide in your writing is accurate as well as clearly communicated.

Using AI for Background Research

Prompts are commands and information that you input into the AI system in order to obtain specific results. Often it is okay to use AI to obtain a general grasp of concepts, but be aware that the details may not be correct. You are always responsible for double checking the information that AI provides. AI is very good at making things up!

Prompt example: Can you explain why the sky is blue.

Prompt example: Can you explain the theory of relativity. Or explain the first law of physics, the law of inertia.

Generating Citations

AI is horrible at providing correct citations. AI is very pattern-based meaning that it recognizes elements that are needed to complete a citation. However, if it does not have all of the information or has incorrect information, it will make things up or put the elements in the incorrect spot. This is known as hallucinating, and it is a well documented phenomenon. 

• Instead, use Willamette's citation pages.
• Ask one of our librarians for help. 
• Use the printed citation manuals in our reference collection (ask at the circulation desk).
• Use Zotero or Google Scholar's citation function.
• Use the library catalog. Use the library's databases.

There are so many ways to easily and correctly cite things. You also have professionals (librarians) who would be more than happy to help. The bottom line--don't rely on a tool that makes things up. 

Previewing Grades

AI can help anticipate grades and identify ways to improve your assignment. In your prompt, include the assignment criteria/rubric and your full assignment.

Prompt: Given the following grading criteria [include the assignment and grading criteria] what would the following paper receive [include your assignment]? 

Follow up prompt: What criteria are missing? What are some things that can improve this assignment?

Study Buddy

AI can help you study. In your prompt, include elements that you want to quiz yourself over (e.g. words to memorize and their meaning) then include what you want AI to do.